Apparatus for determining the denomination and/or genuineness of paper money and thelike



April 12, 1960 R, L. BURTNER ETAL 2,932,392

APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE DENOMINATION AND/OR GENUINENESS OF PAPERMONEY AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 23, 1954 R. L. BURTNER ElAL DETERMINING TH April 12, 1960 APPARATUS FOR E DENOMINATION AND/ORGENUINENESS OF PAPER MONEY AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 23,1954 LNn prll 12, 1960 R, L, BURTNER EI'AL 2,932,392

APPARATUS FOR ,DETERMINING THE: DENOMINATION AND/0R GENUINENESS OF PAPERMONEY AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 23, 1954 3 Sheets-Shet 3 To Powsn ou1 H40(LEAD se) FIG. 6

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IN V EN TOR.

RICHARD I .BURTNER BY Ross L. TIMMS ATTORNEYS United States Patent OAPPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE DENOMI- NATION AND/OR GENUINENESS OF PAPERMONEY AND THE LIKE Richard L. Burtner, Canton, and Ross L. Timms, Akron,Ohio; said Timms assignor of twenty-five percent to Alan Foster,Cincinnati, and two and one-half percent to Albert H. Oldham, and twoand one-half percent to Vern L. Oldham, Akron, Ohio Application February23, 1954, Serial No. 411,946 8 Claims. (Cl. 209-111) This inventionrelates to apparatus for examining paper and like documents, andparticularly paper money, for genuineness or denomination, and, moreparticularly, is concerned with electronic apparatus for progressivelyscanning selected areas of the paper, converting the varying reflectedlight level into cally filtering the signal, and determining thegenuineness and/or denomination of the paper when the proper filtersrespond in the proper sequence.

It is the general object of our invention to provide relatively simple,comparatively inexpensive apparatus for rapidly and accuratelydetermining the genuineness and/ or denomination of paper money, or thelike.

Another object of our invention is the provision of apparatus fordistinguishing between genuine and counterfeit money or other paperdocuments with almost completely foolproof accuracy and in a relativelyshort period of time, such as several seconds.

Another object of our invention is the provision of an apparatus adaptedto be associated with a change-making machine, an automatic vendingmachine, and the like, and including a slide for receiving a piece ofpaper money, means for determining the genuineness and/or denominationof the money, means for retaining in the apparatus the paper money if itis found genuine, and means for triggering the delivery of change,merchandise, or performing some other function when the money isaccepted as genuine and is retained by the apparatus.

Another object of our invention is to provide improved mechanism for usein conjunction with paper money counting means and whereby anycounterfeits present in the paper money can be detected.

The foregoing objects of our invention, and other objects which willbecome apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by theprovision of apparatus including means for supporting the money to beexamined, mechanism for generating an electric current in response tolight reflected from the money, said mechanism at any instant picking upthe light reflected substantially from a pinpoint-like area of themoney, means incorporated in the mechanism to progressively generateimaginary lines, at relatively high frequency, in one direction on themoney by movement of the point-like area, means incorporated in themechanism to narrowly separate the aforesaid lines in a directionsubstantially at right angles to the lines to effect a progressivescanning of the light reflective properties of a selected area of themoney, means for amplifying the electric current generated, a pluralityof frequency responsive filters connected to the amplifying means, saidfilters being adjusted to accept in turn the frequencies generated bythe progressive scanning of the light reflective properties of theselected area of the money if genuine and of proper denomination,interlock means associated with the filters whereby the filters can beactuated only in proper sequence, and means responsive to the interlockmeans for accepting the money.

In accord with the principles of the invention, each an electricalsignal, electriy ICC filter includes a series tuned resonant circuit, atube with adjustable bias, and a multi-pole relay in the plate circuitof the tubes. When electrical energy is present at the frequency towhich the circuit is tuned, a voltage buildup occurs at the grid of thetube causing it to lire and close its associated relay. Energy at allother frequencies is rejected by the filter.

The relay used with each filter circuit is of the mechanical latchingtype to close and stay closed once it is operated. All relays can besimultaneously reset. And the relays must be operated in proper sequenceand must all be operated before a power-out voltage results to acceptpaper tested as genuine.

The apparatus usually includes a casing frame, a slide, such slidehaving a pocket adapted to receive the paper to be examined, meansmovable to and from a position holding the paper substantially flat inthe pocket, means movably supporting the slide in the frame for movementto expose the pocket outside of the frame or to move the pocket insidethe frame, means to effect the discharge of the paper from the pocket tothe inside of the frame if it is determined to be genuine, and means toinsure that the paper has been removed from the slide before actuationof the change making, the vending or other responsive apparatus.

For a better understanding of our invention, reference should be had tothe accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of apparatusincorporating the principles of the invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are views similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating otherembodiments of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a schematic wiring diagram of the filter and interlock relaysforming a part of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view showing details of apaper money receiving slide forming a part of the apparatus; and

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a money counting machine having thecounterfeit detecting apparatus of the invention incorporated therewith.

Although the invention is adapted broadly to the examination of papers,documents, and articles of a wide range and variety, the invention isparticularly concerned With the identification or genuineness and/ordenomination of paper money, and for simplicity purposes has been soillustrated and will be so described.

In Fig. 1 the numeral 10 indicates a carriage or slide having a pocketor other support 12 adapted to receive the piece of paper money to beidentified. The carriage 10 is usually associated with a box or frame(shown for example in Fig. 5 so that the pocket 12 can be exposedoutside of the box of the apparatus to receive the paper money and canthen be moved to a position inside the box of the apparatus foridentification purposes. The initial movement of the carriage 10 causesit to strike a limit switch 14 which turns on, i.e., starts, theoperation of the identification apparatus.

Associated with the carriage 10, inside the box of the apparatus, areone or more lamps 16 for fully illuminating the paper money carried inthe pocket 12. Positioned above the pocket 12, once the pocket has beenmoved to the inside of the apparatus box, is a television camera tube18, for example an RCA type 6198 videcon, with suitable and knowndriving means 19. The camera tube 18 operates through a lens system 20to effect a progressive pinpoint scanning of a selected portion of thepaper money carried in the pocket 12. It will be understood that at anyinstant the camera tube 18 is looking at only a pinpoint-like area (forexample, usually between about .0015 and .004 inch in diameter) of thepaper money illuminated by the lamps 16, but with the known mechanism ofthe camera tube 18 moving the pinpoint-like area being examined in aseries of sweep movements,

assassin bill-ina direction substantially at right angles to the scandirection kof thepinpoint-like area or by relatively slow electrical`tlisplacement ofthe area in the same orthogonal direction. In eithervcase it is necessary that the scan-in the slow 'direction beaccomplishedV at such a rate that the centers of successive horizontalscanning lines lie not Vmore than .004 inch apart. The presenternbodirnenty of the invention utilizes a horizontal scan rate ofapproximately 360 scans per second which limits the rater of theorthogonal scan to not more than 36G .002 to .00.4==from .72 to 1.44inches per second. With this arrangement a particularly high degree ofscanning accuracy and resultant informationV is obtained even from veryclosely cross hatched or engraved areas of the paper money wherein asmany as several hundred engraved lines, perinch Amay be present.

The output of the camera 'tube 18 is an electric current which is passedto the video amplifier 22, the output of the amplifier 22 beingconnected to a bank oftilters and relaysv indicated asV a whole by thenumeral 24.

We have discovered that the output of the camera tube `18 is a timevarying electrical signal containing llyfthe progressive scanningOperation is performed many and usually widely varied frequencycomponents as generated by the alternate or otherwise arranged light anddark areas of the paper money. However, the relatively complex Iwaveform of this electrical signal for each area scanned can be brokendown into a plurality of individual sine wave frequencies which togetherform the complex waveform. Now if these individual sine Wave frequenciesare plotted on a frequency versus amplitude coordinate system the resultis a spectrum Which indicates therpredominate frequency. It is to thispredominate frequency for each area scanned, that the filter for thearea is tuned.

The paper money scanned breaks down into a pluralit-y of distinct areaseach with a different spectrum and predominate frequency. For example,on the conventional United States of America one dollar bill beginninglatthe lowerl edge of the bill immediately underneath the picture ofWashington and traveling upward the first printing on the bill is ahorizontal straight line Separated somewhat less than a thirty-second ofan inch from a border formed by a series of vertically-directed parallellines forming `a second border approximately somewhat underalthirtyfsecond of an inch high. This second border creates a relativelysimple waveform at the output of the video, amplifier 22 which containsa predominant and definite frequency component corresponding to thespacing between the vertical lines. The first filter is tuned to thisfrequency component. An entirely different and more complex spectrumresults during the scanning of the cross hatching above the border lastdescribed and immediately under the words In Silver Payable to theBearer on Demand, but with this spectrurn, also, creating a predominatefrequency to which a second filter can be tuned. Still another spectrumresults from the scanning of the words In Silver Payable tothe Beareron- Demand, and a third filter can be tuned to the predominate frequencyof this spectrum. An entirelydistinct set of frequencies, and apredominate frequency, is producedby the scanning of a portion of GeorgeWashingtons coat, still another by the mufer immediately beneath `hischin, still another on the cross hatching behind Washington in the ovalpicture, and so .forthto cach of the resulting spectra and itspredominate frequency a filter can be tuned.

v In other words, the camera tube 18 scans theselected portion of thebill and during this scan a considerable plurality of distinctly dierentvfrequencies are produced in the electric output of the camera tube inresponse to the different portions of the `bill scanned. understood thatit is the preferred practice to so align the paper bill in the pocket 12of the carriage 10 so that the scanning movement of the pinpointflikearea and the plurality of imaginary closely parallel lines produced inthe scanning movement are parallel or substantially parallel to thelower'edge of the bill, the scanning action beginning at the lower edgeof the bill and progressing upwardly towards or through part or all ofWashingtons picture and/or the background for his picture.

The filter and relay system 24 connected to the output of the videoamplifier 22 comprisesV a bank of filters and associated relays 26VVparticularly adapted for the examination of a one dollar bill, and asecond set of filters and relays 28 adapted for the examination `of afive dollar bill. Additional sets of filters and relays can be connectedto the output of the video amplifier 22 for the determination ofgenuineness and denomination of ,ten and twenty dollar bills, orY forstill other denominations. inasmuch as each bankv of `filters andassociated relays is substantially identical in structure andarrangement to every other bank, andV the `banks differ only inadjustment, only a singlebank of'filters and associated relays will bedescribed.

Having reference to bothY Figs. l and 4, `the bank of filters andrelays. 26 includes a plurality of filters 30, for example five, markedfilter Nos. l, 2, 3, 4 and 5, each filter being directly .connected tothe output of the video amplifier 22. The output of each filter 30 isconnected to Va relay 32, marked relay Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, relay No.1 being connected to a power in electric lead 34, relay No. 5 beingconnected to a power out electric lead 36, and each relaybeingrconnected to the adjacent relay by power electric leads 38 so thatwhen all of the relays 3 2 are closed the power in electric lead 34 isconnected to the power out electric. lead 36. The power out electriclead 36 is connected to a mechanism 40 for performing any suitablefunction once the paper money or bill being examined has been proved tobe genuine and of a given denomination. For example, the mechanism 40can include a signal light or buzzer, or both, 41a or, can givechange`for the identified bill, can deliver merchandise, with or withoutchange, and will also actuateY mechanism for retaining in the apparatusthe bill which has been identified. Before mechanisnr40 can operate afinal switch therein must. be closed byrelay 164 operated by photocell162 or other means, all as described in greater detail hereafter.

It should also be. noted that the relays 32 are interlockedwith eachother so. thatno. relay can close until the relay immediately prior toitis closed. InY other words, the relays must close in turn, first No. l',then No. 2, and so forth.

Having particular reference to Fig. 4, which illustrates in detail. theconstruction and operation Vof the filters and associated relays, thefilters have been designated by the numerals 30, 30a and 30x, andtherelays bythe numerals 32, 32aand 32x, it beingunderstood that anyselected number of filters and associated .relays can be employed in anapparatus of the invention. Usually about five filters and relays areemployed for each bill tested.

Each lter includes a tuned resonant circuit comprising coil 33, variablecondenser 35, tube 37, Aand variable resistance 39 in the cathode leadto the tube. Typical values for these parts are as` follows: coil 33-7-5to l5() millihenries; condenser 35q20to 250 mfd.; tube type 6N6, andresistance 39-150 ohms.

More broadly, anydesired combination of L and C can be used to provide atuned circuit of the desired fre- It will be quency to match thepredominant frequency, usually in the range of from 2 kc. to 100 kc.which range obviously is dependent upon sweep frequency. The rangefigures stated are for use with the sweep frequencies heretofore stated.

When electrical energy in sufiicient predominate amount is present atthe predominate frequency to which the filter is tuned, a voltagebuildup occurs at the grid of the tube 37 causing it to fire and closeits associated relay 32. Energy at all other frequencies is rejected bythe filter.

The magnitude of the voltage buildup at the resonant frequency may becalculated by use of the equation EL=QEA where ELzvoltage across theinductance EA=voltage applied to the resonant circuit Qr-lilterparameter By use of a low impedance output stage on the video amplifiera circuit Q of 50 may be attained. From the equation given above it canbe seen that, with this value of Q, even relatively small signals of thecorrect frequency are capable of reliably triggering the tube 37.

Examination of the circuit diagram of Fig. 4 shows that each successivetube 37a, 37x, etc. in a filter bank receives its plate power throughthe relay contacts on the preceding stage. This provides protectionagainst counterfeit currency inasmuch as the circuit makes it mandatorythat the filters be activated in the proper order (36, 30a, 30x etc.) ifthe bill is to be accepted as genuine. The bias adjustment 39 provides aconvenient sensitivity control which may be set -to accept only printedpaper of a predetermined physical quality, rejecting that which is tooworn, soiled or mutilated. Very new bills have been found to fire theltube 37 at low sensitivity setting of the variable bias 39, but theolder the bill the more sensitive must be the setting of the bias 39because it takes longer to build up the energy to fire the tube 37. Thebias 39 is usually set to allow the apparatus to operate through therange of new to reasonably old bills.

The out-put leads 41 o-f the video amplifier are connected by tubes 42and 46 with the filter banks. One lead 41 connects to the grid of tube46, and one lead to the cathode of tube 42. From the negative or groundof the lter circuit likewise connected yto the cathode of tube `42, aconnection runs through a resistor 42a to the grid of tube 42 andthrough a condenser 42h to the plate of tube 46. The tubes 42 and 46 aretypically 5687s, and function as low impedance output devices forcoupling the output of the video amplifier to the filter. The anode oftube 42 connects to the variable condenser of each filter bank.

A positive high voltage is connected to the circuit of Fig. 4 at point43 to supply power for operating the relays as each tube 37 fires and toprovide a power out voltage at point 44 when all relays are closed.Point 43 connects through resistance 45 to the anode of tube 46. Typicalvalues in the circuit include 470K ohms for resistor 42a, .002 mfd. forcondenser 421'), and 3.9K for resistor 45.

Relays 32, 32a and 32x are of the self-latching type so that onceoperated they stay engaged until released by a solenoid 47 mechanicallylinked to release the relay latches, as for example upon the acceptanceof the money being tested as genuine. In other words, when the mechanism40 is operated the solenoid 4.7 is actuated to release relays 32, 32a,etc.

Each filter 30, 30a, etc. is adjusted by its variable condenser 35 andthe size of the coil 33 so as to adapt it to test for a given frequencyspectrum.

Thyratron type tubes may be used in the filter circuit instead of Ithetubes described and when this is done separate relays are not required.

It might lbe mentioned here that the apparatus of the invention can beconstructed with a single bank of filters and relays 26 for operationupon paper money of a single denomination, for example one dollar bills,if this be desired for a particular installation.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2 includes acarriage 10a having a pocket 12a adapted to receive the paper money tobe examined, and in this form of the invention the carriage 10a ispreferably driven by a synchronous motor 50 which carries a pinion gear52 engaging with a rack 54 on the carriage whereby it is given aconstant speed movement into the apparatus. The numeral 56 indicates ahorizontal sweep generator of conventional type, and the output of thegenerator passes through an amplifier 58 whose output is connected to acathode ray tube 60 to provide a continuously repeated horizontal sweepon its surface, for example 360 times per second. The cathode ray tube60 may, for example, be of the 5WP15 type. Associated with the face ofthe cathode ray tube 60 is a mirror 62 positioned at an angle to thetube face, so as to reflect the pinpoint of light produced by thecathode generator 64 on the tube face to a lens system 66 and onto theface of the bill supported in the pocket 12a.

It will be understood that the apparatus described produces a pinpointof light on the bill being examined, this pinpoint of light beingapproximately from .002 to .004 inch in diameter, and that the pinpointof light is swept or moved across the selected area of the face of thebill because of the action of the horizontal sweep generator 56 therelatively large number of times per second as described. This sweepingmovement of the pinpoint of light produces a series of imaginary lines,usually parallel to the bottom edge of the bill, as before described.The constant speed movement of the carriage 10a is at right angles,preferably, to the imaginary sweep lines to thereby make each imaginaryline a spaced parallel distance from each other imaginary line, usuallysomewhat less than a full width of a line whereby a selected portion ofthe bill is given a progressive scan.

A photocell 70, for example of the 1P2l type, is positioned adjacent thecarriage 10a and in a manner to pick up reflections from the bill, andthe output of the photocell 70 passes to a video amplifier 22a whoseoutput is connected to a filter and relay assembly 24a having separatebanks 26a and 28a for one dollar and five dollar bills, respectively.The banks 26a and 28a of filters and relays are as heretofore describedand function in a like manner.

The apparatus of Fig. 2 differs from the apparatus of Fig. l primarilyin the vfact tha-t but a single scanning of the Ibill is obtained duringthe movement of the bill into the apparatus, whereas in Fig. 1 thecamera tube 18 is capable of giving repeated scans over an identicalarea in the paper money being examined. However, even with the apparatusof Fig. 1 it is the usual procedure to scan the area examined only once.The apparatus of Fig. 2 may have limit switches associated with thecarriage lua to start and to reverse the operation of the motor SG andto start and stop the scanning apparatus. The mechanisms of Figs. l and2 are similar in the respect that each examines the light-reflectivecharacteristics of a selected area of the paper money at any instantonly over a pinpoint-like area of the money, but with the pinpoint-likearea being progressively moved with a scanning action to provide aseries of imaginary lines, the lines being closely parallel to eachother.

ln the form of the invention illustrated" in Fig. 3, a carriage lb isprovided having a pocket 12b for receiving the paper money to beexamined, and with the carriage 10b being moved into the apparatus bymeans of a synchronous motor Sb operating through a pinion gear SZb anda rack 54h. A synchronous motor 80 rotates a segmented mirror wheel 82which has associated therewith a light 84 and lens systems `86 and 88.The ar- 7 rangementr is such that when the mirror wheel v52 is rotated apinpoint of light, usually about .Q02 to about .004 inch in diameteigrisgiven a plurality of sweeps across the pocket 12b, usually at rightangles to the forward movement olthe carriage by means of the synthebill being examined. The output of the photocellY 'tb is connected to avideo ampliier 22h, and its output is connected to a iilterand relaysystem 24h having one or more banks. of Vfilters and relays 26h and 28hoperable respectively on one dollar and ve dollar bills.

The `operation of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 3 is similarto that `heretofore described7 particularly with respect to theapparatus of Fig. 2.

In Fig. 5 is illustrated a slide or carriage, indicated as a whole bythe numeral c and having pocket 12e, the carriage being-mounted formovement into or out of the casing 14M) containing the kapparatus of.the invention. Rollers 162 on the casing 100 and rollers lit-4 on thecarriage, or example, mount the carriage 1de for sliding movement in theguide 106 of the casing 16h. `The pocket 12C is of a size to receive,for example, a standard United States currency paper money bill so thatthe bill will lay flat in the pocket and substantially fill the pocket.

Some suitable billv hold down means, such as a transparent cover 108 ishinged as atk 110 to the carriage, with the carriage and cover 108 beingappropriately slotted as at 112 so that the user ot the apparatus canwith his finger or ngernail move the cover meanslt from the full lineclosed position shown to an open position whereupon the bill can bepositioned in the pocket 12C. Usually the bill is positionedtransversely in the pocket, and per instructions, with the picture ofWashington or other personage on the bill being uppermost and with thebottom of the picture towards the casing 100. With the bill in positionin the pocket the cover 108 is moved down to the full lineposition tohold the bill flat in the pocket and in a position so that upon inwardmovement of the carriage 10c into the casing 100 the bill is presentedto the scanning means of any one of the several types heretoforedescribed, and indicated as 'a whole in Fig. 5 by the numeral 114.

The movement of the carriage 10c into the casing 100 Vof the apparatusis either done manually, as in the case of the apparatus of Fig. l, orthe manual movement of the carriage merely is enough to move the innerend of the carriage 10c against a microswitch 14C which starts theoperation of the scanning apparatus 114 and also the operation of themotor 50 or 5011, in the case of the apparatus of Pigs. 2 or 3, fordriving the pinion 52 or 52h. The pinion 52 or B2b engages with a rack54 or 54h associated with the bottom of the carriage 10a and 10brespectively. In order to avoid complicating Fig. 5 neither the rack northe pinion are shown. When the carriage is moved completely to itsinnermost position, at which time the pocket 12a` is fully positionedunder the scanning apparatus 114, the end of the carriage strikesV asecond microswitch 11S to reverse the motor driving the pinion 52 and toshut off the scanning apparatus 114. Thereupon the motor driving thepinion 52 is reversed to move the carriage 10c to its outermost positionand until such time as the motor is disconnected by the carriage movingoli the microswitch 14C.

Some suitable means are provided for retaining the bill being examinedinside of the casing 160 in the event the bill is identified as genuineand of the'proper denomination. These means may take, for example, the

form of` a transparent vfalse bottom 120 underneath the pocket 12e, thebottom 120 being pivotally mounted 'and held by a spring latch 122 inclosed position'totorm the bottom of the pocket 12C. Now assuming thatthe carriage 19e is at its innermost position in the casing 100 of theapparatus and that the bill being examined has been accepted by theapparatus, the mechanism-4t) of Fig. l, connected to the power outelectric lead 36 includes or is connectedr toa solenoid 126V (see Fig.5)wh`ich is actuated concurrently with or as a part of the mechanismiid. The actuation of the solenoid'126 causes a pointed pin 128 to movevertically into engagement with* a recess 13@ in the under side of thespring latch 122 so that upon the beginning of the return movement ofthe carriage 1pc towards its outermost position the false bottom 12) isallowed to drop downto an inclined or vertical position. The bottom ofthe pocket 12C is in this manner opened up and the bill being examinedfalls out of the pocket 121C and down against a chute 132 from where itis directed into a receptacle or stack not shown. As the slide orcarriage lilo continues its outward movement limit switch 119 opens totie-energize solenoid 126 and the latch 122 is released. Continuedoutward movement of the carriage Mic causes the false bottonrlzt to beswung back into its normal latched position shown in Fig. 5.

1n order to prevent someone from beating the apparatus by sticking agenuine bill with adhesive onto the under surface of the cover, or ontothe top surface of bottom 12@ whereby the apparatus might examine thebill, nd it genuine and release the bottom only to have the customerrecover the bill when the slide moves out, we provide a lamp .166 and aphotocell 162 substantially in the position shown in Fig. 5. Thus, thephotocell is only tired when the bottom 120 drops out of the way torelease the bill into the chute 132, closes back up and there is nothingleft in the way to prevent the light from hitting the photocell 162through transparent cover 108 and bottom 120. When the photocell tiresit operates a latching relay 164 which closes a nal switch in box 4t) tocause the box to nally make change, deliver merchandise with or withoutchange, etc.

We have illustrated in Fig. 6 the combination of our improvedidentification apparatus with a paper money counting machine, forexample oli the type sold under the trademark Tickometer byPitney-Bowes, Inc. of Stamtord, Connecticut. The money counting machineis indicated as a Whole by the numeral 14d, the machine includingmechanism 142 holding a stack of paper money 144 to be counted. Themechanism generally includes a plurality of belts 146 for moving thebottom piece of paper money out from under the stack 144 and throughcounter rolls or mechanisms 148 from where it is again stacked afterbeing counted. Apparatus of any ofthe types heretofore described inconjunction with Figs. l through 3 of the invention may be incorporatedwith the money counting apparatus 140. For example, appropriateapparatus 114:: can be mounted upon suitable brackets 150 to positionthe apparatus so that it can scan each bill being passed from the stack144 tothe counter 148. If a non-genuine bill is detected by theapparatus 114a a red light 152 or other signalling means is tired andthe counting mechanism 14@ is automatically stopped.

The apparatus of Fig. 6 can readily be adapted to not only identifycounterfeit but to separate or to count bills of differentdenominations. For example, if the apparatus 114a has associatedtherewith a separate bank of filters and associated relays for each oneof a variety of denominations of bills then each one dollar bill willactuate through its power out electric lead the counter by only onenumber, each tive dollar bill will actuate the counter for ve, and soforth. Also, it is possible to separate the bills of differentdenominations into separate stacks, each one containing billsV of likedentnnina-v tions, if this be desired, with or without counting of themoney.

While in accord with the patent statutes we have specificallyillustrated and described at least one embodiment of our invention, itis to be particularly understood that we are not to be limited theretoor thereby, but that the scope of our invention is defined in theappended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for identifying genuineness and denomination of paper moneyand the like including means for receiving a piece of paper money insaid apparatus, means for passing a pinpoint of light at substantially aconstant speed over the money in one direction thereon and atfrequencies in excess of several hundred cycles a second, means foreffecting relative movement between the sweeps of the light and themoney in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction ofthe sweeps to thereby scan progressively a distinct two dimensional areaof the money, photocell means for continuously picking up the reiiectionof the pinpoint of light, means for amplifying the pickup of thephotocell means, a plurality of frequency filters each characterized bypassing only a predominate frequency, a relay associated with eachfilter and adapted to be operated when electrical frequencies of theproper predominate range are passed by its associated filter, aninterlock between the relays so that the relays can only be operated ina certain predetermined order, and means for retaining the money in theapparatus when the relays are operated in said certain predeterminedorder, said filters being set to accept in turn and pass the predominatefrequencies generated by the progressive scanning of aselected portionof a piece of paper money of a specific denomination.

2. Apparatus for identifying genuineness and denomination of paper moneyand the like including means on the apparatus for receiving andsupporting a piece of paper money outside the apparatus and for movingthe money into the apparatus, means for passing a pinpoint of light atsubstantially a constant speed over the money in one direction thereonand at frequencies in excess of several hundred cycles a second, meansfor effecting relative movement between the sweeps of the light and themoney in a direction at an angle to the direction of the sweeps tothereby scan progressively a distinct two dimensional area of the money,photocell means for continuously picking up the reflection of thepinpoint of light, means for amplifying the pickup of the photocellmeans, a plurality of frequency filters each characterized by passingonly a predominate frequency and connected to the output of theamplifying means, means responsive to the passing of electric current bythe filters in predetermined numerical order for retaining the money inthe apparatus and for discharging the money from the apparatus whenelectric current is not passed by the filters in predetermined numericalorder.

3. Apparatus for identifying genuineness and denomination of paper moneyand the like including means on the apparatus for receiving andsupporting a piece of paper money outside the apparatus and for movingthe money into the apparatus, means for passing a pinpoint of light overthe money in one direction thereon, means for effecting relativemovement between the sweeps of the light and the money in a directionsubstantially at right angles to the direction of the sweeps to therebyscan progressively a distinct two dimensional area of the money,photocell means for continuously picking up the reflection of the pinpoint of light, means for amplifying the pickup of the photocell means,a plurality of frequency filters each characterized by passing only arelative narrow band of frequencies, a relay associated with each filterand adapted to be operated when electrical frequencies of the properrange are passed by its associated filter, an interlock between therelays so that the relays can only be operated n a certain predeterminedthe money in the appaprogressive scanning of a selected portion of apiece of genuine paper money of a specific denomination.

4. Apparatus for identifying genuineness and denomination of paper moneyand the like including means on the apparatus for receiving andsupporting a piece of paper money outside the apparatus and for movingthe money into the apparatus, means for passing a pinpoint of light overthe money in one direction thereon, means for effecting relativemovement between the sweeps of the light and the money in a directionsubstantially at right angles to the direction of the sweeps to therebyscan progressively a distinct two dimensional area of the money, meansfor picking up the reflection of the light and for converting it into anelectric current, means for amplifying the electric current, a pluralityof frequency filters each characterized by passing only a relativenarrow band of frequencies, a relay associated with each filter andadapted to be operated when electrical frequencies of the proper rangeare passed by its associated filter, an interlock between the relays sothat the relays can only be operated in a certain predetermined order,and means for retaining the money in the apparatus when the relays areoperated in said certain predetermined order, said filters being set toaccept in turn and to pass the frequencies generated by the progressivescanning of a selected portion of a piece of genuine paper money of aspecific denomination.

5. Apparatus for determining denomination and genuineness of paper moneyand the like and including means on the apparatus for receiving andsupporting the money to be examined outside the apparatus and for movingthe money into the apparatus, means for scanning an area of the moneywith a series of line sweeps, each line spaced adjacent to and parallelto the proceeding line, the scanning means including means picking upthe'light reflected at any instant from a pinpoint-like area on eachline sweep and converting the reflected light into electric current,means for amplifying the electric current generated, a plurality offrequency responsive filters connected to the amplifying means, saidfilters being adjusted to accept in turn and to pass the predominatefrequencies generated by the progressive scanning of the light refectiveproperties of the selected area of the money if genuine and of properdenomination, interlocked means associated with the filters to determineif the filters accept and pass the predominate frequencies in a certainpredetermined order, and means responsive to the actuation of all theinterlocked means for accepting the money and retaining it in theapparatus.

6. Apparatus for determining denomination and genuineness of paper moneyand the like and including means on the apparatus for receiving andsupporting the money -to be examined outside the apparatus and formoving the money into the apparatus, means for scanning an area of themoney with a series of line sweeps, each line spaced adjacent to andparallel to the proceeding line, the scanning means including meanspicking up the light reflected at any instant from a pinpoint-like areaon each line sweep and converting the refiected light into electriccurrent, means for amplifying the electric current generated, aplurality of frequency responsive filters connected to the amplifyingmeans, said filters being adjusted to accept in turn and to pass thefrequencies generated by the progressive scanning of the lightrefiective properties of the selected area of the money if genuine andof proper denomination, interlocked means associated with the filters todetermine if the filters accept and pass the predominate frequencies ina predetermined order, means responsive to the interlocked means foraccepting the money and retaining it in the apparatus, and meansfor-stopping'theoperation of the? apparatus if the money-f is-notretained therein. f f

7. Apparatus? for determining denomination and genuineness of papermoney and the like fand includingI means forreceiving and supporting apiece of paper money in the apparatus, said means receiving they moneyoutside the apparatus ,for movement inside of the apparatus, means` forsanning `an Iarea of the' money with a series of line sweeps each linespaced adjacent to 'and' parallel to the proceeding line, the scanningmeans including means picking up the light reflected at any instant froma pinpoint-like area on each line sweep'and converting the reflectedlight into electric current, means for amplifying the electric currentgenerated, a plurality of means each meaty"V Scanned, mms `forstrainingme L-o cimitto* ychange the predominaterfrequencyto which 1t 1 s tuned,means-for chan-ging the sensitivity of the L'-C circuit, aV

relay associated with each L`-C circuit and adapted to be closed when apredominate frequency in tune with the i L-C circuit strikesy the L-Ccircuit, meansconnecting the relays yso that no relay can be actuateduntil its preced-V ing relay is closed, means latching in each relay asclosed,

adaptedV to pass in turn only an electric current of va par- 15 ticularpredominate `frequency generated by the aforesaid scanning means whenperformed on genuine money of the same country and denominationV as thepaper money to be tested, and means responsive to lthe. passing of thegenerated electric current by the last-named means in a certainpredetermined order to accept the money under test as'genuine and toretain it in the apparatus.

8. Apparatus for determining the denomination and genuineness of papermoney and the like and including means for receiving and supporting apiece of paper money in the apparatus, means scanning selected areas ofthe money and generating a voltage proportional to the lightness of thearea scanned and uctuating in accord withthe iiuctuation of lightness ofthe area scanned, a plurality of filter means connected to the generatedvoltage, each filter means including an L-C circuit tuned tothepredominate frequency of the frequency spectrum of the generated voltagefor a particular area of the paper means producing a voltage output andresponsive to the closing of all relays, and means responsive to saidlastnamed nieans for unlatohing all relays.

References Cited in the tile of this patent l UNITEDSTATES PATENTSV235,900 Ruckel Dec.'28, 1880 800,558 Dunn Sept. 26, 1905 1,083,840Kiparsk Jan. 6,1 1914 1,098,379 Hammond June 2, 1914 1,101,453 KiparskiJune 23, 1914 2,197,417 Place Apr. 16, 1940 2,224,646 Friedman et al.Dec. 10, 1940 2,231,494 Dickinson Feb. 11, 1941 2,247,684 VHickok July1, 1941 2,497,656 Clarke Feb'. 14, 1950 2,531,236 Snell et al. Nov. 2l,1950 2,570,305 Barney Oct. Y9, 1951 2,646,717 Selgn July 28, 19532,652,136Y Morrison Sept. 15, 1953 Y 2,731,621 Sontheimer Jan. 17, 19562,750,519 Summerhayes et al June 12, 1956 2,774,060

Thompson Dec. 1l, 1956

